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Meconium aspiration (inhalation)
Alternative Names: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) Treatment: The newborn's mouth should be suctioned as soon as the head is delivered. Further treatment is necessary if there is thick meconium staining and fetal distress. A tube is placed in the infant's trachea and suction is applied as the endotracheal tube is withdrawn. This procedure is repeated until meconium is no longer seen in the suction contents. Text Continues Below If there have been no signs of prenatal fetal distress, and the baby is a vigorous term-birth newborn, experts now recommend NO deep suctioning of the trachea for fear of causing aspiration pneumonia. Occasionally, a saline solution is used to wash the airway of particularly thick meconium. After delivery, the infant is observed carefully. The infant may be placed in the special care nursery or newborn intensive care unit. Other treatments may include chest physiotherapy (tapping on the chest to loosen secretions), antibiotics to treat infection, use of a radiant warmer to maintain body temperature and mechanical ventilation to keep the lungs inflated. Expectations (prognosis): Breathing problems generally subside in 2 to 4 days, although rapid breathing may persist for days. An infant with severe aspiration who requires mechanical ventilation may have a more guarded outcome. Lack of oxygen in the uterus or from complications of meconium aspiration may lead to brain damage. The outcome depends on the degree of brain damage. Meconium aspiration rarely leads to permanent lung damage. Complications: Aspiration pneumonia Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) Persistent fetal circulation Residual brain damage due to lack of oxygen Persistent respiratory distress (breathing difficulty) lasting for several days Calling your health care provider: Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>